CORPORATE PARTNERS

Students in Southeastern’s Professional Sales Program have benefited from a state-of-the-art training room thanks to a $100,000 donation from Northwestern Mutual. Managing Partner of Louisiana and Mississippi Steven Dugal and Managing Director of the Mandeville and Gulfport District Offices Paul Hodge were instrumental in opening this space by being donors with matching gifts from Northwestern Mutual’s corporate office.

Celebrating at the ribbon cutting ceremony are, from left, Southeastern President John L. Crain, Jordyn Eaton, Katy Dugal, Ryan Rhoto, Jason Navarre, Steven Dugal, Paul Hodge, Dicky Lyons (all with Northwestern Mutual), Sales Program Coordinators Assistant Professor April Kemp and Dean Tará Lopez, Miss Southeastern Lily Gayle, Vice President for University Advancement Wendy Lauderdale, and Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller

Watching the genesis of the Southeastern Sales Program and Lab has been an absolute joy! I’ve always had peace knowing that every dollar donated to the cause would be utilized to its fullest potential.

The leadership through Tará and April, and recently adding Tim, has influenced a generation of students who are more than equipped to take on the rigors of the business world. Students that we have invited to join our organization have ended up becoming key members that drive results. Better days are ahead.

After retiring from a 43-year career in sales, the first quarter of which was trial and error, I’m so overwhelmingly inspired by the Professional Sales Program at Southeastern, its dedicated professors and committed students, that I’m compelled to contribute my support for their benefit.

Had the opportunity these students are taking advantage of today been available to me as a collegian, there’s no doubt my customers’, employers’, and personal interest would have benefited earlier and to a greater extent during my professional career.

Zakiya Miller, Sales Alum 2022, United Rentals Sales Associate, and Karlie McDonald, Sales Alum 2020, United Rentals Outside Sales

“Southeastern’s Sales Program changed my life. I grew so much through the program and found my career path early in my collegiate career. Representatives from United Rentals saw me compete when I was a sophomore and gave me an internship opportunity. I was able to secure my future career well before graduation. Now I give back by judging and mentoring students like Zakiya to assist them in finding a potential career path for success.”

“There’s no way I would be in the position I am today with Fastenal if it wasn’t for the sales program. I am so thankful for Dr. Lopez and Dr. Kemp’s guidance while in school. The sales program did so much for me.”